Centering-form apparatus for concrete floor construction



E. E. DAVIS CENTERING FORK APPARATUS FOR CONCRETE FLOOR CONSTRUCTION Filed April 23, 1925 s'sheeta-sheet 1 Dec. 15 9 5. 1,565,912

Dec. 15,1925.

E. E. DAVIS CENTERING FORK APPARATUS FOR CONCRETE FLOOR CONSTRUCTION Filed April 23, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ,zt zz/ard Z 4026,

Dec- 15, 1925.

' 1,565,912 E. E. DAVIS- CBNTIRING FOR! APPARATUS FOR CQNCRETE FLOOR CUNSTRUCTION Filed A ra 25, 1925 ashma-sne'a 5 Patented Dec. 15, 1925.

.UNITED srA EDWARD E. DAVIS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

CENTERING EORM APPARATUSfF OR CONCRETE FLOOR CONSTRUCTION.

Application filed April 23, 1925. Serial No. 25,330.

Toall whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, EDWARD E. DAVIS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, haveinvented a new and useful Improvement in Centering-Form Apparatus for Concrete Floor Construction, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in centering form apparatus for concrete floor construction and is here shown as embodied in a device especially adaptedfor constructing concrete floor .in steel buildings between steel girders or beams with ceiling beams underneath.

Among the features of my invention is the provision of apparatus that maybe readily put in place and removed without breakage, thus permitting repeated use of the same apparatus with a consequent saving in expense.

My improved apparatus is also so designed that it may be readily adjusted to different dimensions. For example, the same apparatus may be used between steel girders having different distances of separation. .Because of this construction, it is not necessary to have so many different pieces of apparatus.

' My improved centering form apparatus is also so constructed that it is light in weight, easily handled and adjusted, and yet strong, firm and tight. B y the use of my apparatus, there is very little, if any, waste of 0011- :retc; and the resulting floor is smooth and neat in appearance, and strong and rigid.

Other features and advantages of my invention will appear more fully as I proceed with my specification.

In that form of device embodying the features of my invention shown in the accompanying drawings, Figure I is a bottom plan view of a concrete floor constructed by the use of my apparatus, Fig. 2 is a view taken as indicated by the line 2 of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a view taken as indicated by the line 3 of Fig. 1, Fig. 4 is a view taken on the line l of Fig. 5 showing iii-side elevation one of the joint members forming a part of my apparatus showingthe same in place between two steel I-beams, and also showing in side elevation one of the'pans in place, Fig. '5 is a top plan view of the apparatus in place between two steel I- beams showing the same preparatory to the pouring of the concrete, Fig. 6 is a view on an enlarged scale taken as indicated by the line 6 of'Fig. 5, Fig. 7 is a view on an enlarged scale in side elevation of the end of one of the joints showing the sliding bolt adapted to support the same on the upper surface of the lower flange of one ofthe steel I-b eams, Fig. 8 is a similar view in top plan, and Fig. 9 is a view taken as indicated by the line 9 of Fig. 6.

Briefly stated, in general, the apparatus comprises a plurality of joists adapted to be parallelly mounted between steel I-beams and supported by sliding bolts at the end of each joist adapted to rest on the upper surfaces of the lower flanges of said I- beams. Each joist carries on its upper edge a fiat sofiit board throughout its entire length. Mounted on the sides of the joists are stirrups adapted to support between each pair of joists a plurality ofspreaders. Mounted on these spreaders between each pair of joists is an inverted sheet metal pan formed of four sections; each section having a vertical side face, a vertical end face, and a horizontal top face. The faces of the four sections of each pan are adapted to overlap each other so that the completed pan is closed at the top and the four sides, but open at the bottom, the overlapping faces making the same extensible both longitudinally and transversely. The spreaders carry uprights on the upper ends of which rests a beam adapted to support the under side of j the pan throughout its length at the center. Each of the Spreaders has fastened on its under side at each end a block adapted to engage the stirrup on the joist. On the upper side of each spreader near the end is provided a clamp adapted to engage a longitudinally arranged bar laid across the ends of the spreaders and adapted to bear against the inner surface of the lower edge of the vertical side of the pan in order to hold it tightly against the edge of the soffit board.

Cir

Means are provided to permit the easy removal of the Spreaders, thereby also permitting the pans to be dropped down between the joists and the joists themselves removed.

I will now describe the apparatus more in particular. As shown in the drawings, 10, 10 indicate parallel I-beam girders forming a part of the steel structure of a building. 11 indicates the completed concrete floor and 11 the concrete ceiling beams formed on the under side of the floor proper and integral therewith. 10 indicates the lower flange of the I-beam 10. 11 indicates the concrete surrounding the I-beam 10 and formed integral with the floor 11 and ceiling beams 11. The parts so far referred to are possibly best shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, all of which show the completed floor with all the centering form apparatus removed.

in Figs. 4 to 9 inclusive is shown the centering form apparatus and the method of putting it in place for the purpose of molding, forming, laying or casting the completed floor. The apparatus includes a joist 12 preferably formed from a wooden timber or plank on edge having on its upper edge a flat soilit board 13 extending substantially throughout its entire length. The ends of the joist 12 are provided with sliding bolts adapted to support the joist between two I-beams 10. 14 indicates an end plate preferably made of sheet metal bent back upon itself as shown in Fig. 8 and adjustably mounted on the end of the joist 12 to form an end extension for the same. This end plate is suitably fastened to the joist in any manner as, for example, by pins or bolts 15. As most clearly shown in Figs. 7 and S, the end plate 14 may be mounted in different positions upon the end of the joist 12 in order to vary the length of the same. Near the outer end, the end plate carries a pivot pin 16 carrying at its ends the sliding bolts 17, 17 prox ided with slots 18 through which the pin 16 projects. The inner ends of the bolts 17 are turned outwardly as indicated by 19 to form operating handles. The outer ends of the bolts 17 are adapted to rest on the upper surface of the lower flange 10 of the I-beam 10 (see Fig. 7). The sliding bolts 17 are locked in position by means of a bolt 20 passing through holes 21 in the end plate 1% and a suitable hole in the joist 12 registering therewith. It will be seen that the holes 21, 21 are formed in an are so that the inner ends of the bolts 17 may be raised or lowered to correspondingly raise or lower the outer ends thereof resting on the flange 10 and correspondingly lower or raise the joist 12. It is to be noted that there are three arcs of holes 21 in order to permit endwise adjustment of the end plate 1-l to lengthen or shorten the joist 12. Corresponding holes are bored through the joist 12 to permit the locking bolt 20 to be passed therethrough as may be necessary in use.

The joist 12 is provided on each side with a plurality of stirrups 22 formed of flat boards nailed on spacing strips 23 fastened to the side of the joist in order to space the board 22 a short distance therefrom. As many of these stirrups are provided as may be necessary depending upon the length of the joist. I have here shown each joist provided with three stirrups on each side. The upper edge of each stirrup is notched as indicated by 24: for a purpose to be described hereinafter. Between each pair of joists are provided a series of Spreaders adapted to rest on the stirrups 22. One of these spreaders is probably best shown in Figs. 6 and 9. The spreader comprises a pair of telescoping hollow square members 25 and 25 On the under side of each spreader at the end is fastened a block 25 adapted to lie back of the stirrup board 22 when the end of the spreader is resting on the stirrup. \Vhen in position for forming the floor the ends of the spreaders rest on the stirrups as shown in Fig. t. The notches 24 are provided to assist in removing the Spreaders. take them out, the ends of the spreaders are knocked over until the blocks 26 are opposite the notches 24, when the telescoping members 25 and 25 may be telescoped to remove the Spreaders, the blocks 26 moving out from behind the stirrups through the notches 24:.

Each spreader carries substantially at its center a vertically adjustable U-shaped support 27 adapted to carry a pan support ing member 28 here shown as comprising a plank set on edge. Each of the supports 27 is mounted on a link 29 carried by a square collar 30 surrounding the spreader 25. The edges of the collar 30 are provided with guides in which the link 29 is vertically slidable and an adjusting screw 31 is threaded through the lower part of the link and has its end rotatably fastened in the under side of the square collar 30 so that by turning the screw 31 the link 29 and support 27 may be adjusted vertically (see Fig. 9).

Between each pair of joists 12 is mounted a rectangular shaped pan formed of four sections preferably made of sheet metal. These sections are indicated by 32, four of them forming one complete pan. Each of the sections 32 has a rectangular shaped horizontal top face, a vertical side face and a vertical end face. The four sections are placed together as shown in Figs. 4:, 5 and 6, so that together they form a rectangular shaped pan closed at the top, sides and ends, but having the bottom open. By overlVhen it is desired to lapping the top faces, side faces and end faces of the various sections, the pan may be made longer or shorter, or narrower or wider, as desired. In putting the apparatus in place the joists 12 are first mounted between the I-b'eains 10, the spreaders 25, 25 put in place, and the sheet metal pans formed of the sections 32 placed on top of the spreaders 25 (see Fig. 6), with the lower edges of the side faces of the pan resting on the'ends of the spreaders. In referring to a pan I mean four sections placed together. Each pan is so adjusted that its sides 32 will touch the edges of the sofiit boards 13. The length of each pan is adjusted so that it will be about one inch longer on each end than the joists 12. In Figs. 4, 5 and 6 I have" shown the joists, spreaders and pans in place. The supports 27 are so adjusted that the plank 28 will support the center of the pan throughout substantially its entire length (see Figs. 5 and 6).

Near the end of each spreader on the upper surface thereof is pi'bvided an eccentric or camsh'a'ped member or clamp 33 pivotally mounted on the bolt' 34. represents a bar or plank lying across the ends of the spreaders and adapted to be pressed against the inner lower edge of the vertical side wall 32 of the pan by means of the clamp 33 in order to hold this lower edge of the pan tightly against the sofiit board 13. The clamps 33 are tightened against the board 35 by swingin them on the pivots 34-, they being ccentric or cam-shaped so that upon rotation they will force the member 35 outwardly.

Under each of the I-be'ams 10 is supported a board 36 by means of the wires 37 passin over the I-beams as shown (see Figs. 4 and 7). The board 36 is wide enough to meet the ends of the joists 12 on opposite sides of the I-bea'm. Filler boards 37 are provided to fill the space between the lower edges of the end faces 32* of the pans and the boards 36. The filler boards 37 project up inside of the end faces 32 and rest on top of the board 36. Suitable slots 38 are provided to accommodate the bolts 17, and slots 39 (see Fig. 4) are also provided to accommodate the lower edges 32 of the side faces of the ans.

In the operation of the apparatus, the- Various parts are assembled as shown in Figs. 4 to 9 inclusive, and concrete is then poured over the entire apparatus up to the level as indicated by 11 in Fig. 4, this constituting the upper face of the floor. It will be seen that concrete will flow down between the pans on top of the sofiit' boards 13 to form the ceiling beams 11 and that concrete will also flow down around each of the I-beams 10 on top of the board 36 between the ends 32 of the pans and the filler boards 37 to form the concrete l1 around the I-bea'm. After the concrete has set sufficiently, the spreaders 25, 25 may be removed by knocking them over until the blocks 26 can pass out throughthe notches 24 in the stirrups 22. The spreaders are then shortened sufficiently until their ends clear the stirrups whereupon they may be dropped down between the joists with the supporting boards 28 thus permitting the pans also to be taken down. The joists are removed by pulling in the bolts 17 thus permitt-in their ends to drop free from the Lbe'am's.

While I have shown and described cei'- tain embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that it is capable of many modifications. Changes, therefore, in the construc'tion and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit and. scope of the invention as disclosed in the appended claims, in which it is my intention to claim all novelty inherent in my invention as broadly as possible in View of the prior art.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is: j

1. In apparatus of the character described; a plurality of joists; means for supporting the joists by their ends between parallel steel girders; a plurality of spreaders adapted to be supported between each pair of joists; and a pan adapted to be placed between each pair of joists resting on said spreaders, said pan comprising four sheet metal sections each having a vertical side face", a vertical end face, and a horizontal top face, the four sections adapted to he placed together with their faces overlapping to form a pan having a top face, two side faces, and two end faces, and an open bottom.

2. In apparatus of the character described; a plurality of j0ists;'means for supporting the joists by their ends between parallel steel girders; a plurality of spread ers adapted to be supported between each pair of joists; a pan adapted to be placed between each pair of joists resting on said spreaders, said pan comprising tour sheet metal sections each having a vertical side face, a vertical end face, and a horizontal top face, the four sections adapted to be placed together With their faces overlapping to form a pan having a top face, two side faces, and two end faces, and an open bottom; and means on the spreaders for holding the side faces of the pans tightly against adjoining joists. I

3. In apparatus of the character described; a plurality of'joists; means for supporting the joists by their ends between parallel steel girders; a plurality of spreaders adapted to be supported between each pair of joists; a pan adapted to be placed between each pair of joists resting on said spreaders, said pan comprising four sheet metal sections each having a vertical side face, a vertical end face, and a horizontal top face, the four sections adapted to be placed together with their faces overlapping to form a pan having a top face, two side faces, and two end faces, and an open bottom; and means on the spreaders for holding the side faces of the pans tightly against adjoining joists, said means comprising a beam lying on the spreaders against the side face of the pan and cam-shaped members on the spreaders adapted to be pressed against said beam to force the lower edge of the side face of the pan outwardly against the joist.

4. In apparatus of the character de scribed; a plurality of joists; sotfit boards on the joists; means for supporting the joists by their ends between parallel steel girders; a plurality of spreaders adapted to be supported between each pair of joists; and a pan adapted to be placed between each pair of joists resting on said spreaders.

5. In apparatus of the character described; a plurality of joists; soifit boards on the joists; means for supporting the joists by their ends between parallel steel girders; a plurality of spreaders adapted to be supported between each pair of joists; and a pan adapted to be placed between each pair of joists resting on said spreaders, said pan comprising four sheet metal sections each having a vertical side face, a vertical end face, and a horizontal top face, the four sections adapted to be placed together with their faces overlapping to form a pan having a top face, two side faces, and two end faces, and an open bottom.

6. In apparatus of the character described; a plurality of joists; sofiit boards on the joists; means for supporting the joists by their ends between parallel steel girders; a plurality of spreaders adapted to be supported between each pair of joists; a pan adapted to be placed between each pair of joists resting on said spreaders, said pan comprising four sheet metal sections each having a vertical side face, a vertical end face, and a horizontal top face, the four sections adapted to be placed together with their faces overlapping to form a pan having a top face, two side faces, and two end faces, and an open bottom; and means on the spreaders for holding the side faces of the pans tightly against the sofiit boards.

7 In apparatus of the character described; a plurality of joists; means for supporting the joists by their ends between parallel steel girders, said supporting means comprising slidable bolts adapted to engage the lower flanges of said steel girders; a plurality of spreaders adapted to be supported S. In apparatus of the character described; a plurality of joists; extensible end members on said joists; means for supporting the joists by their ends between parallel steel girders; a plurality of spreaders adapted to be supported between each pair of joists; and a pan adapted to be placed between each pair of joists resting on said spreaders.

9. In apparatus of the character described; a joist; an extensible end member on the joist comprising a U-shaped piece of metal with means for adjustably attaching the same to the end of the joist; and means on the joist for adjustably supporting its end on the flange of a steel girder, said means comprising a slidable and rockable bolt on said extensible end member.

10. In apparatus of the character described; a joist; an extensible end member on the joist comprising a U-shaped piece of metal with means for adjustably attaching the same to the end of the joist; a pivot bolt extending through the end of said extensible end member; a bolt slidably and pivotally mounted on said pivot member; and means for fastening the inner end of said bolt in any one of a plurality of positions.

11. In apparatus of the character de scribed; a joist; an extensible end member on the joist comprising a U-shaped piece of metal with means for adjustably attaching the same to the end of the joist; a pivot bolt extending through the end of said extensible end member; a bolt slidably and pivotally mounted on said pivot member; and means for adjusting the inner end of said bolt vertically and horizontally.

12. In apparatus of the character described; a plurality of joists; means for supporting the joists by their ends between parallel steel girders; a plurality of spread ers adapted to be supported between aeh pair of joists; a pan adapted to be placed between each pair of joists resting on said spreaders; and a centrally arranged longitudinal supporting board carried by said spreaders and adapted to support the top face of said pan.

18. In apparatus of the character described; a plurality of joists; means for supporting the joists by their ends between parallel steel girders; a plurality of spreaders adapted to be supported between each pair of joists; a pan adapted to be placed between each pair of joists resting on said spreaders; and a centrally arranged vertically adjustable longitudinal supporting board carried by said spreaders and adapted to support the top face of said pan.

14. In apparatus of the character described; a plurality of joists; means for supinn lll)

porting the joists by their ends between parallel steel girders; a plurality of stirrups on the sides of said joists, each of said stirrups comprising a flat notched member spaced away from the joist; a plurality of Spreaders adapted to be supported between each pair of joists with their ends resting on said stirrups, the end of each spreader provided with a block adapted to lie back of the flat notched member of the stirrup; 10 and a pan adapted to be placed between each pair of joists resting on said spreaders.

Witness my hand and seal this 21st day of April, A. D. 1925.

EDWARD EfDAVIs. 11. 8. 

